Samsung Electronics announced that it has developed the industry’s first amorphous silicon (a-Si) seven-inch, single-chip TFT-LCD panel that reproduces colours in high resolution (WVGA-level, 800×480 pixels).
The seven-inch LCDs are mostly used in mobile devices including DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting), PMP (portable multimedia players) and CNS (car navigation systems), and normally require 4 to 7 drive ICs(integrated circuit). Also, on a conventional seven-inch LCD panel, the T-con (time controller that drives the screen), power platform and other components typically are attached to a circuit board on the exterior of the LCD. The complexity of this integration point has been a major obstacle to slimming the package profile of mobile LCD devices.
The new single-chip design, with a contrast ratio of 400:1 and a brightness level of 450 nits, uses Samsung’s unique ASG (amorphous silicon gate) technology. The ASG incorporates the Gate-driver IC function directly on the surface of the glass panel, while simultaneously integrating the T-con function within the Drive-IC. In the single-chip design, the surface area of the drive circuit and the number of components that it contains are each one-third less than that used in existing WVGA panel designs.
With the new single-chip LCD, Samsung can support the trend toward thinner and simpler mobile devices, while decreasing the overall circuit development and production burden for set builders by combining the functionality of multiple digital components.
Senior Vice President Hyung-Gul Kim, of the LCD Mobile Display Development Team says, “Samsung Electronics has successfully challenged the generally accepted idea that a high degree of circuit integration using amorphous silicon (a-Si) is prohibitively difficult. With our new seven-inch WVGA LCD prototype panel, dramatic improvements in LCD design are not only prudent, but also quite feasible using this highly reliable a-Si approach.”
The one-chip seven-inch WVGA panel will be first publicly displayed during the first week of June at the SID (Society for Information Display) Symposium, Seminar and Exhibition at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.-By Jonathan Cheah
LG Electronics (LG), a leader in mobile TV technology, announced the launch o f the LG-U900, the world’s first commercially available UMTS (WCDMA) DVB-H phone, at a ceremony in Rome, It aly on April 27. The LG-U900 will be available early May through Hutchison, a leading global telecommunicati ons services provider, in time for the 2006 World Cup.
Hutchison Italy, the country’s largest 3G telecommunications provider, has exclusive DVB-H broadcasting rig hts for the 2006 World Cup. The company will provide video footage of all World Cup matches beginning June 6, through the Hutchison’s service channels, ‘La3’. Hutchison plans to offer the LG UMTS (WCDMA) DVB-H phone to customers world-wide, after initially establishi ng a base in Italy.
Mr. Mun-Hwa Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, said: “We are so prou d that LG is supplying the world’s first commercially available UMTS (WCDMA) DVB-H phone through Hutchison Italy. LG has already proven its unrivalled mobile multimedia technology in 3G markets by introducing a seri es of first-of-their-kind models including SDMB and TDMB handsets. LG will continue to introduce advanced te chnology that is second-to-none in the mobile TV industry.” Mr. Vincenzo Novari, the CEO of Hutchison Italia said at the ceremony, “With support from LG Electronics, o ur company will strengthen its leadership in the 3G mobile communication market.”
LG’s new LG-U900 DVB-H handset features a 2.2-inch ‘wide-swing’ screen for mobile TV viewing. Its premium digital broadcasting functions include ESG (Electronics Service Guide) and CAS (Conditional Access System). These functions shall support enhanced business models for mobile and broadcasting operators. Users can watc h TV for up to three hours because of the phone’s long battery life. The LG-U900 is also equipped with a 1.3 mega-pixel & VGA digital camera, an internal memory capacity of 58MB.
The UMTS (WCDMA) DVB-H technology evolved from DVB-T, European terrestrial digital broadcast technology, bec oming the European mobile broadcast standard. It provides high-speed data transmission, a variety of channel s, a high-resolution screen and strong mobile broadcasting.
LG produces handsets using all available mobile broadcast technologies including DVB-H, DMB and MediaFLO. I n January 2006, LG became the first company to develop and introduce 3G UMTS (WCDMA) DVB-H, CDMA MediaFLO an d DMB phones. LG introduced the world’s first 3G UMTS (WCDMA) TDMB phone, the LG-V9000, in September 2005. According to Strategy Analytics, a predominant worldwide handset market analysis company, mobile TV phones w ill reach 8 million units globally by the end of 2006 and the mobile TV market is expected to grow to 120 mi llion subscribers by 2010.
Nokia's Marketing Manager Geraldine Wong tells the BRATs about what young people mean to them, and what they are doing to capture the youth market in their industry.
Why are the youths important to Nokia?
Every consumer, regardless of age, is important to us. We feel that it is critical for us to provide products that fulfill both form and function for a wide range of people and we believe we are doing just that. Youths will the ones who will experience the greatest changes when it comes to mobile devices. They are conversant in technology and are virtually fearless when it comes to trying something new.
When we design our products, it is with a mind to give this segment of the market a mobile device that meets and surpasses their needs. Not to sound clichéd, but they are the future for Nokia.
What does Nokia think the youths are looking for these days?
They are looking for a device that does it all. The ability to surf the Internet, listen to music, take photographs, record special moments via video and share these images and video with friends is so important. The ability to do it with one device is key. And they want to look cool doing it. The Nokia 3250 is a great example of a device that offers youth today such a combination. It looks great and yet does not compromise on features.
Music is so important to youth today and we think that this device delivers the best while making them the envy of all their friends.
How do you gauge what youths want?
We conduct extensive research in the market and we also find ways to talk to youths. We have a numbers of programmes that allow us to connect with Malaysian youth to see what is driving them today.
The recent Nokia Defend Your Turf Challenge was meant to reach out to youths and to appeal to what they find interesting. The same can be said of the AND1 Streetball Challenge that is being run with The Star. We have found youths are keen to find ways to express themselves but in healthy ways and we are keen to support that.
Another example is the Upstart programme that we run each year for aspiring artists – in the fine art and audio-visual categories.
How have they responded?
We think that youths have responded very positively to our events. All of the activities that I have spoken of have drawn tremendous turnout and support from youths.
We have seen record numbers of participants turn out for futsal, street basketball and also for our arts programme – a sign that we make sense to youths in Malaysia.
Do you have any future plans to try to further strengthen your hold on this market?
We are always looking for ways to speak to youths – and we will continue to plan for this in the future. Our goal is to give Malaysian youths a space where they can express themselves.
Nokia has found ways to work with The Star and R.AGE (The Star's pullout for young people available at selected colleges and universities around the country) to conduct mobile film-making challenges to give youths a creative way to express themselves.
We also plan to have imaging workshops where youths will get an “education” on the best ways to use their Nokia devices to capture and express their creativity. Who knows? We may find the next Richard Avedon or Ang Lee right here in Malaysia!
What are the challenges you face in trying to capture the youth market?
We can only hope that we are addressing the needs of youths today by providing them with the right devices that allow them to enjoy being youths! Also, judging by the response to our Upstart programme and also to the Nokia Defend Your Turf Challenge and the AND1 Streetball Challenge, we believe we are more than meeting that challenge.
HANDPHONE use during storms can be deadly as lightning is attracted to the electromagnetic waves emitted by the phone's built-in antenna.
Universiti Putra Malaysia lecturer Dr Ishak Arif told Berita Harian that handphones used radio frequencies (electromagnetic waves) of between 9,900MHz and 1.2GHz, while 3G phones used 3GHz or more.
“The signals sent out while users are communicating via their handphones can attract lightning bolts,” he said, adding that a person standing in an open space faced a higher risk of being hit by lightning.
He said lightning bolts that carried thousands of volts could pass through a person within seconds, resulting in instant death.
Dr Ishak advised handphone users to switch them off during thunderstorms.
“Apart from the antennas, handphone casings that have metal parts can also attract lightning bolts,” he added.
Kosmo! reported Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo as saying that gangsters were behind the spread of the illegal scrap metal trade in the Klang Valley,
He said the industry had become a thorn in the side for the state and police.
“I know the industry is backed by gangsters because I was also intimidated by them once,” said Dr Khir.
He said there were too many illegal scrap metal businesses in the state and it had become difficult to control them.
“In Klang alone, there are some 200 premises and another 60 within the Selayang municipality,” he added.
“When the local authority's officers approach these illegal operators they will say that the police issued them licences. If the police were to approach them, they would say the council gave them the licence.
“But now we have decided to send down an executive councillor who will bring along officers from the council and police to check,” he said, adding that those who wished to apply for licences must fulfil certain criteria. -theStar
TM Net is using music as a way to promote its streamyx services. So if you’re a fan of old-school rocker Amy of Search or would like to hear the vocal chops of Malaysian Idol 2005 winner Jaclyn Victor, make your way to one of the venues of TM Net’s Broadband Fiesta 2006.
“We hope to encourage Malaysians to embrace the digital lifestyle. We see music as one of the ways to do this. The main reason why people don’t subscribe to broadband is the lack of compelling content. Music is a part of people’s lives; at the Fiesta, people can listen to music, play games and experience broadband technology for themselves,” said TM Net chief executive officer Michael Lai.
The fiesta will run from April 29 to Nov 11. The event is now in its second year. Attendees will be able to participate in the GameZone tournament at the event. GameZone is an online platform that provides a range of computer game services. -theStar
According to Lai, the second reason for most Malaysians not subscribing to broadband is affordability.
“We will not lower prices but we have an introductory package where you can surf for 10 hours at broadband speeds for RM20 a month. We introduced the package two months ago and have had a few thousand subscribers, and we’ve seen a few converts to more expensive packages. The entry point (pricewise) is important,” said Lai.
This year Broadband Fiesta is organised in partnership with local IT companies FTEC System Sdn Bhd and Aztech Sdn Bhd.
Aztech will showcase its digital home concept which employs broadband networking, the Skype digital enhanced cordless telephone and digital music player while FTEC will be showing off its PCs and notebooks.
At the fiesta, there will also be TM Net promotional booths where visitors are encouraged to check out the latest broadband products and services.
Broadband Fiesta 2006 will be held in several venues across the country, including Penang, Kuantan, Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Johor Baru and Selangor. TM Net expects a turnout of 1,000 people per day.
TM Net currently has 500,000 broadband subscribers.
BESIDES being richer by RM10,000, the winning team in the search for the Spirit of KL will enjoy free airtime on their mobile phones and sleek, new handsets as well.
The champion will bag the RM10,000 grand prize, Nokia 6270 phones and RM50 reload for three months.
“DiGi will also be sponsoring other freebies including T-shirts, cash voucher and IMAX movie tickets,” said DiGi head of marketing, communications and promotions Jeanette Lee during a briefing for Spirit of KL finalists on Tuesday.
Spirit of KL is organised by R.AGE, The Star’s youth pullout available at selected colleges and universities around the country.
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Lee (right) and her DiGi colleague Nancy Tan with a mock cheque of the RM10,000 grand prize that will be presented to the winning team at the Spirit of KL finals on May 4. |
“Our association with The Star in Spirit of KL is a perfect synergy because the competition is targeted at youths and we have MTV Power Pack, which is a youth product,” said Lee. “We can reach a wider audience.” She added that mobile phone and services play an incredible role among youths and DiGi wanted to ensure that it would be useful for them by providing information and eventually be a source of entertainment.
Representatives from DiGi briefed the participants on the various services that they could subscribe to and the perks they would receive.
In the preliminary round last Saturday, 145 teams had sheer fun and excitement in Berjaya Times Square completing tasks using DiGi products and services.
Twenty teams, comprising students from colleges and universities, will be combing the city in the finals on May 4 in search of the heartbeat of the city.
“The intensity of the race will be double or triple the preliminary round because it will not be as simple as getting clues to solve the question. Each member has to be involved to complete the tasks,” said Lee, adding that creativity, resourcefulness, innovative and teamwork would be reflected in their work.
Spirit of KL is a project by The Star and presented by DiGi. Other sponsors of this event include Berjaya Times Square, Federal Hotel and Redfm. -thestar
